Orange and Vodafone Outsource Their UK Network Management

Two of the UK's mobile networks have separately - but on the same day - announced network maintenance outsourcing deals. Orange UK has given a 5-year contract to Nokia Siemens Networks, while Vodafone UK granted a 7-year contract to Ericsson.

Ericsson will provide maintenance and operations for Vodafone UK's 2G and 3G radio access networks (RAN), and the contract includes the transfer of approximately 350 employees from Vodafone to Ericsson, scheduled for the beginning of May.

Jeni Mundy, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone UK, says: "We see this as a strategic long-term relationship, offering real operational and financial benefits allowing us, over time, to reinvest savings in delivering new products and services for customers. Ericsson is the specialist in this area and will be critical in helping maintain our high quality network - which customers expect from Vodafone."

For Orange, Nokia Siemens Networks will take over responsibility for network operations. This includes the full range of 2G/3G network operations including network planning and optimization, spare parts management and providing turnkey network rollout services. Orange will continue to own and strategically plan its network.

Nokia Siemens Networks is also finalizing arrangements for a UK sub-contractor to provide first line maintenance services. As part of the mobile network operations outsourcing, close to 470 staff are planned to transfer from Orange UK with approximately 230 joining Nokia Siemens Networks and the remainder being transferred to a first line maintenance sub-contractor.

"Nokia Siemens Networks has a proven global expertise in managing large, multi-technology networks, and our partnership with the company is a win-win for all involved - Orange UK, our customers and our employees," said Pete Marsden, VP of IT & Networks for Orange, UK."Nokia Siemens Networks will provide our transferring employees with strong career paths within global organizations recognised as telecommunications industry leaders."

Posted to the site on 18th March 2009